MinuteAI vs Otter.ai
Looking for a privacy-first alternative to Otter.ai? Compare features, pricing, and privacy approaches side by side.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | MinuteAI | Otter.ai |
|---|---|---|
| Processing | On-device (local) | Cloud-based |
| Privacy | Zero uploads | Audio uploaded to servers |
| Offline Mode | Full functionality | Requires internet |
| Free Tier | Unlimited (≤10 min each) | 300 min/month |
| Pro Price | $7.99/month | $16.99/month |
| Annual Price | $69.99/year | $119.99/year |
| One-time Price | $99.99 (lifetime) | N/A |
| Platforms | macOS, iOS, iPadOS, Chrome | Web, iOS, Android, Chrome |
| Transcription Engines | 4 (WhisperKit, FluidAudio, Apple Speech, OpenAI) | 1 (Proprietary) |
| AI Enhancement | 8 providers (local + cloud options) | Otter AI (cloud only) |
| Speaker Diarization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Meeting Recording | Chrome Extension (Meet + Teams) | Native bot joins meetings |
| CRM Integration | ✗ | Salesforce, HubSpot |
| Team Features | Coming soon | ✓ |
| MCP Server | ✓ (11 tools) | ✗ |
| Data Retention | Your device only | Otter's servers |
The Privacy Difference
MinuteAI
Your audio never leaves your device. All transcription happens locally using WhisperKit, FluidAudio, or Apple Speech. Optional cloud APIs are your choice.
Otter.ai
Audio is uploaded to Otter's cloud servers for processing. Data may be stored for up to 30 days. Subject to third-party data processing.
📌 Important: For journalists, lawyers, and researchers handling sensitive material, local processing isn't a feature—it's a requirement.
Pricing Comparison
Transparent pricing with all features included
MinuteAI
Otter.ai
Who Should Choose What?
Choose MinuteAI if you...
- Value privacy and need 100% local processing
- Are in the Apple ecosystem (macOS, iOS, iPadOS)
- Need offline transcription capabilities
- Prefer lower price ($7.99/mo vs $16.99/mo)
- Need developer integration (MCP server)
- Want multiple AI engines (4 transcription + 8 enhancement)
Choose Otter.ai if you...
- Need meeting bot auto-join feature
- Require CRM integration (Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Need Android support
- Want enterprise team management
- Don't mind cloud storage of your data
Ready to Switch?
Try MinuteAI free — no credit card required. Unlimited for recordings under 10 minutes.
Works on macOS, iOS, iPadOS + Chrome Extension